Ospreys thump Dragons on return to St Helen's

United Rugby Championship

Ospreys (19) 31

Tries: Morgan-Williams 2, Parry, penalty try, Moriarty Cons: Edwards, Morgan-Williams

Dragons (7) 14

Tries: Dyer, Tuitavuki Cons: De Beer 2

Ospreys enjoyed a happy homecoming with a bonus-point victory over Dragons at St Helen's.

Mark Jones' side returned to the famous Swansea venue in style, scoring five tries in horrendous conditions in front of 5,592 supporters.

Ospreys led 19-7 at half-time after a double by Reuben Morgan-Williams and an effort by captain Sam Parry.

Dragons scored with the final play of the half through Rio Dyer, but Ospreys' driving line-out secured the win by earning a penalty try and a score for Ross Moriarty.

Anzelo Tuitavuki went over for the visitors' second, but they endured an evening to forget.

Dragons had Rhodri Williams, Tinus de Beer and Aneurin Owen sin-binned and Wales were also given a scare before the Nations Championship.

Dyer did not come out for the second half and lock Ben Carter, who established himself in Steve Tandy's starting line-up last season, went off with a head injury.

After a first block of the season that has seen Ospreys play in Durban, Johannesburg, Tbilisi and Newport, they returned to the famous sporting venue they left in 2005.

They have downsized after leaving the Swansea.com Stadium in 2025 and, while there is a long snagging list and plenty of jobs to be done, this felt like a home.

Like at Bridgend's Brewery Field, their ground for 2025-26, there was a lively atmosphere to make up for the rough edges.

It was Ospreys' first game at St Helen's since moving a game against Benetton during the Covid pandemic in 2020.

Their return meant there were plenty of smiles despite torrential rain, especially from the punter who conquered the conditions to win a new £20,000 bathroom by passing the ball through a hole at half-time.

Ospreys came out firing after the restart to ensure that their first half efforts did not go down the pan on a night to remember for the region as they continue to fight for their existence.

Ospreys: Rogers; Hopkins, Watkin (co-capt), K Williams, Giles; Edwards, Morgan-Williams; G Thomas, Parry (co-capt), Botha, R Davies, Smith, Wright, Deaves, Morris.

Replacements: Daniel, S Thomas, Henry, Sutton, Moriarty, Davies, Creighton, Foketi.

Dragons: Anderson; Dyer, Paea, Owen, Tuitavuki; de Beer, R Williams; Martinez, Dee, Lewis, S Davies, Carter (capt), Langton-Cryer, Beddall, Lewis-Hughes.

Replacements: Burrows, J Morris, Coleman, Screech, Minto, Hope, J Lloyd, Inisi.

Yellow cards: R Williams 41, De Beer 54, Owen 67.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales).

Assistant referees: Craig Evans & Ben Breakspear (Wales).

TMO: Adam Jones (Wales).